I’ll be flying to Puerto Rico for the U.S. Masters Swimming Long Course Nationals this weekend and I couldn’t be more excited about embarking on another vacation of fitness and fun. When I’m not competing in this championship event (which will include swimmers 18 to 90-something), I’ll be meeting new friends and reuniting with old ones, learning salsa dance moves, taking in the local sights, and enjoying the local food (and drink).
I’m especially looking forward to the the 1500 meter open water swim at Ocean Park, where I hope to see (but not necessarily get too close to) some marine life along the way. I’m also excited to be swimming in this super-fast pool, which is modeled after the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Natatorium at Georgia Tech. I’m anticipating putting some lifetime bests up on the scoreboard to prove to myself and others that at 47, I’m fitter than ever.
Why do I choose to be super active when I travel? The answer’s simple. I can’t leave the house without getting dressed and brushing my teeth. Nor would I start my day without exercising first. Swimming and other activities soothe my mind, stimulate my thoughts, and give keep that passion for life running through my blood. I can already hear the echo of people cheering, imagine that rush of water I’ll feel when I plunge from the starting blocks into the cool race-temperature water, and feel the skin-tingling adrenaline rush I’ll feel after swimming each race all-out and then seeing my name up on the scoreboard.
With U.S. Masters pool meets and open waters being held all over the country (go to usms.org), there’s ample opportunities to plan a swimming vacation.
I love competition because an event on the calendar serves as an incentive to push myself harder. And I thrive off the sheer excitement of racing. But there are people of all personalities Masters swimming. You don’t have to love to compete or even to be fast. Masters swimming is for anyone who wants to improve their fitness level, lose weight, feel better, enjoy training with the camaraderie of others, or just hang out! So don’t be afraid to get into the competitive scene out of fear you won’t be good enough. Swimmers are a super friendly community of people! If you just show up, you’ll be warmly welcomed.
Many people ask me “Why do you workout?” I work out primarily because being fit feels great. Swimming has always been my favorite mode of exercise. Whenever I stroke through the water, it flows along my body’s contours, reminding me of how wonderful it feels to live in a sleek and toned body. The natural resistance of the water tones, loosens connective tissue, and keeps my muscles feeling loose and flexible.
Whenever I go to the high school to watch my kids participate in sporting and other events, I look around at other parents and often find myself thinking “Why DON’T they workout?”
So many of them have bulging bellies and double chins and some of them even have mobility issues (I see limping, difficulty sitting and standing or hear groans and other verbal expressions of physical discomfort). I wonder why people in their 40s and 50s let themselves go when they have the potential to live more comfortable and active lives. I think of all the people I know at SaddleBrooke where I do personal training and teach group exercise classes, who run marathons, swim, play tennis, and even do triathlons in their 60s, 70s and beyond. They, like me, recognize the benefits of an active lifestyle and make exercise a part of every day. They also have found activities they most enjoy participating in, so that exercising is a pleasure rather than a chore.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to experience the joys of living in a fit body, why not start working toward that goal today? Try some new activities and discover where your exercise passions lie. And when you find them and start to reap the benefits, I hope you’ll post and let me know!
At 5:06 a.m., my alarm clock rings. I roll over on my side to silence it, then groan. Sometimes being female really sucks, I nearly mutter, but I stay silent as not to awaken my sleeping husband. It feels like a swamp creature is crawling up my throat. I feel like my ovaries, fallopian tubes and everything else around the middle part of my body is being squeezed (like a grapefruit in a juicer) and stretched (like a torture victim’s body) at the same time. It is “that time of the month.” I need ibuprofen and fast. Or maybe just to go back to sleep. I sure as hell don’t want to go to work. Or swimming practice.
As best as I can at this hour of the morning, I weigh my options. I can stay in bed and skip the workout, but if I do, I will be nauseous, tired, and uncomfortable all day. Everyone and everthing will annoy me. The day will end with a headache.
No, I tell myself as I throw off the covers. A swim is a much better alternative. The nausea will be gone after 4 lengths of the pool. The cramps will be forgotten after 8 (swimming relaxes my lower back and reduces that pressure which makes me so uncomfortable). By the end of practice, I will be in a great mood and will feel energetic and (with a little help from ibuprofen) pain free the rest of the day. Today’s workout won’t be about preparing for a race or getting in “X” number of yards. The focus of today’s workout will be to improve the quality of my day.
After forcing down my normal tea and English muffin, I drive to the pool. I toss my kickboard and fins on the side of the pool and plunge into the water. Within minutes, the rhythm of my strokes carries me back to that comfortable place where I feel strong, happy, youthfu. Alive. And even though it is “one of those days,” I know its going to be all right. By the end of the hour, the swimming workout has delivered all I had expected and more. It gave me the gift of a healthy and happy day instead of one I otherwise would have spent crampy and nauseous. And to me, that’s much more valuable than anything money can buy.